Chemical Development Engineer I
Phoenix Tailings is a rapidly growing clean mining and metals production startup dedicated to sustainable and economic critical metals production. They are seeking a Junior Chemical Engineer to support the design, execution, and analysis of rare earth element processing technologies.
Responsibilities
- Design and execute laboratory-scale experiments across the rare earth extraction and metallization process flowsheet
- Build and validate process models including comprehensive mass and energy balances
- Optimize chloride leaching, dissolution, and filtration operations to improve efficiency and product quality
- Support the development of advanced separation techniques for REE purification and concentration
- Develop robust precipitation processes for conversion of rare earth chlorides into high-purity oxides
- Contribute to early-stage metallization process R&D for converting oxides into individual rare earth metals
- Analyze experimental data and use findings to drive iterative improvements to the process
- Specify and evaluate equipment required for pilot and commercial-scale implementation
- Document all research procedures, findings, and recommendations with technical precision
- Ensure all experiments and development efforts align with EH&S and sustainability standards
Skills
- B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field
- 1–3 years of experience in chemical or metallurgical process development (internships and co-op experience welcome)
- Familiarity with mass and energy balances, process modeling, and basic process calculations
- Experience interpreting or developing PFDs and P&IDs
- Hands-on experience with laboratory or pilot-scale chemical equipment
- Comfortable using tools for data analysis and reporting (Excel, Python, or similar)
- Solid communication skills and ability to clearly document technical work
- Driven by curiosity, mission, and a desire to help solve one of the most important resource challenges of our time
- Familiarity with rare earth chemistry or hydrometallurgy is a plus
Benefits
- 100% Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Ownership in a fast-growing venture-backed company.
- Parental leave and flexibility for families.
- Flexible vacation policy to encourage people to get out and see the world.
- Regularly scheduled events, and celebrations.
- Learning and development Opportunities to grow your skills and career.
- Working with fun, hard-working, kind people committed to making a difference!
- We are results-focused. We don’t work at the office every day.
Company Overview
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